2019 ARC Round 3 - USA vs Brazil

Te'o Just Happy To Be Back

Te'o Just Happy To Be Back

A look at Mike Te'o as he returns from injury.

Feb 23, 2019 by Alex Goff
null

When FloRugby visited Mike Te'o almost a year ago he was beginning rehab for a knee injury and he was a long way away from playing rugby again; now he's back.

After months and months of hard work, he has made it back on the field, suiting up for the San Diego Legion already, and starting to show the kind of form that made him a huge star.

Watch USA vs Brazil LIVE on FloRugby.
Kickoff Feb 23 at 7:10pm CT

How huge? Well he has scored the most tries in Americas Rugby Championship history, notching nine over three years. His superb sidestep and impressive vertical leap make him a massive asset in defending and using the kicking game. And he is enormously versatile, too.

All Te'o cares about is being able play again. But opponents know he's a bit of a wild card on counter-attacks. USA fans are just happy to see him back.

A few facts about Mike Te'o:

  • He started playing in the Belmont Shore youth system and made the men's team when he was still a high-schooler.

  • His initial position was hooker, but was quickly moved to the backline because of his speed.

  • He has been capped at wing, fullback, and scrumhalf for the USA.

  • His strike rate of 13 tries in 21 games is matched only by fellow Belmont Shore alum Joe Taufete'e among USA try-scorers who've score 10 or more.

The comeback wasn't easy, and Te'o sometimes was unsure he could do it. "I think that most players who go through injuries, they go through this, this stage or this time or these moments in their head," he said of that doubt. "But the light is definitely brighter on the other side once you get through it. I am just excited to be back here and play in front of a USA crowd and play with my USA teammates."